clemens



Sept. 27, 1955 G. s. CLEMENS HAND ADDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 15, 1954 Sept. 1955 G. s. CLEMENS HAND ADDING MACHINE 2Sheets-Sheet Filed March 15, 1954 E70?! 16' Jaf 2512 Geo 5." (ZZezzzezz;

United States Patent l 2,7193006 HAND ADDING MACHINE George S. Clemens,Chicago, 111. Application March 15, 1954, Serial No. 416,284 8 Claims.(Cl. 23578) The present invention relates to a hand adding machineparticularly suitable for use by a housewife in purchasing groceries atself-service stores.

Grocery stores of the so-called self-service type are arranged so thatthe customer picks out her purchases and then has them totalled by achecker to determine the sum to be paid. In the interest of maintainingthe flow of customers through the stores, the checkers usually operatevery fast, so that most customers cannot keep up with the items as theyare checked ofl? or check the tally slip to be sure the charges areaccurately made. If an error occurs the customer has no way to know thatfact until the groceries have been taken out of the store and can bechecked more slowly. It is then too late to take effective measures tocorrect the error.

The apparatus of the present invention overcomes this difiiculty byproviding a simple, easily used adding machine by which the customer cantally the purchases as they are chosen. Since the choices are usuallyslow, it is possible to operate the machine without confusion. At alltimes it indicates the total of the purchases made so far and, when thecustomer approaches the checking counter, she has available a correctfigure of the total of the purchases. If the store checker does not addthe purchases to this figure, the customer can immediately challenge theclerk with confidence that there is a real error and not just thesuspicion that one has occurred. Also the customer is assured at alltimes that the total of the purchases is within the amount of cash onher person, thus preventing the trouble and embarrassment of having toreturn goods to the shelves.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide asimple hand adding machine suitable for use by customers at self-servicegrocery stores and the like.

Further it is an object of the present invention to provide an addingmachine of the foregoing type in which the apparatus can totalrelatively large sums while still permitting the user to make readingsaccurate to the penny.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved handadding machine wherein the dial which is rotated to indicate purchasesis domed to define space in which the operating mechanism is located.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handadding machine having readily accessible elements to restore the counterwheel to the zero position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide and improvedhand adding machine wherein plunger-operated cam mechanism coacts withradially movable dogs to engage and disengage the counter wheel and theoperating dial.

Further it is the object of the present invention to provide a handadding machine which is small in size, easily used, inexpensive, andreliable to the end that it may be used effectively by housewives.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My inventionitself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereofwill best be understood by reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged top plan view of an adding machine constructedin accordance with the present invention;

Patented Sept. 2?, 1%55 Figure 2 is a side elevational view of themachine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through axis 3-3, Figure2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through axis 44, Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view through axis 5'-5, Figure 4 with parts broken away toshow the interior construction in clearer detail;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view like Figure 2 but showing theadding machine with the handle unfolded to restore the unit to the zerocondition; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of an alternativeembodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the machine consists of a disc or baseplate 10 which has a pair of diametrically opposed windows 10a and 10brespectively, each being in the form of an annular segment. The windowltla is identified as the cents window by suitable markings as shown andhas a reference arrow for the purpose of reading the cents ashereinafter described. The window 10b is identified as the dollarswindow and cooperates with an arrow 10d also as hereinafter described. Aknob 12 having a generally dome shape protrudes above the base plate 10as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This knob has an annular flange 12a whichextends outwardly and bears marginal indicia indicating a count up to100 as shown in Figure 1. These indicia cooperate with the arrow The ofthe base plate as hereinafter described. As shown in Figure 4, the baseplate ll) has a cylindrical flange or side wall 10 and at the marginalportions of this side wall receives the bottom closure disc 14. Thisdisc is frictionally held in place, although it can be secured byadhesive or other means if desired.

As shown in Figure 4, a cents wheel 16 is mounted coaxially with theknob 12. This wheel is visible through the window 10a and bears indiciaindicating numbers up to 100 as shown in Figures 1 and 5. The centswheel 16 is afiixed to the bushing 18 by any suitable means, such aswelding. This bushing is frictionally held on the hollow shaft 20,Figure 4, which at its bottom end 20a protrudes through the closuremember 14 and at its opposite end extends through the base plate 10 andinto the confines of the knob 12. As seen in Figure 4, the base plate 10has an upstanding bushing portion 10g which receives the shaft 20.

The shaft 20 carries an annular disc 22 which is afiixed to the shaft bywelding or other suitable means and seats on the top face of the bushingltlg to hold the shaft against downward movement as seen in Figure 4.Upwardly of this disc, the shaft 20 extends to the threaded end portion26c which protrudes from the knob 12 and ice carries the mating threadednut 24. This nut holds theknob 12 against lifting movement, as seen inFigure 4. The shaft 20 is held against upward or lifting movement asseen in Figure 4 by the engagement of the inner edge of the cents wheel16 with the small depending bushing 10h formed on the base plate 10.

The knob 12 is held in spaced relation with base plate 10 by theinturned bushing 1212. It will be noted that the bottom edge of thisbushing seats against the annular shoulder 20d of the shaft 20, whichshoulder is located slightlyabove the plate 22. As seen best in Figure3, the plate 22 has a pair of diametrically opposed grooves 22a.Diametrically opposed dogs 26 are seated in these grooves as shown inFigures 3 and 4. Each of these dogs has an upstanding pin 26a as shownin Figure 3, which pin receives one end of the U-shaped spring 28 whichis held on the plate 22 by the clamp 30 and screw 32. Clamp 30 causeseach end of the spring 28 to bear down on dogs 26, thus preventing thesedogs from being upended by downward force from cam portion 34c of pushbutton 34. Each end of the spring 28 bears radially inwardly upon thecorresponding pin 26a and thus pulls the dogs radially inwardly so thattheir inner ends 2612 seat against the central push button 34. The pushbutton 34 has a large diameter cylindrical portion 34a, a contiguoussmaller diameter cylindrical shoulder portion 34b, a conical cam portion340, circular flange 34d, and a small diametrically dependingcylindrical part 342. The portion 34a protrudes above the knob 12 andthe portion 34e protrudes below the inturned portion 20e of the shaft 20which forms a bearing therefor. The dogs 26 ride against either theconical cam portion 34c of push button 34 or the cylindrical portion3417 depending on the axially shifted positions of the push button.

The knob 12 is of hollow conformation as shown in Figure 4 to define aspace 12c in which the parts described above are located. The knob alsohas interior teeth 12d which are axially aligned with the dogs 26. Onehundred of these teeth are provided so that each tooth corresponds toone cent of revolution (3.65 degrees). Moreover, each dog 26 has matingteeth 26c, Figure 3, located on its outer edge so that when the dogsmove radially outwardly the teeth mesh with the teeth 12d to anchor thedisc 22, and hence the shaft 20, to the knob 12.

When the push button 34 is in the up position of Figure 4, the dogs 26seat against the lower portion of the conical face 34c of the pushbutton and are thus retracted by spring 23 out of engagement with theteeth 12d. When in this position the knob 12 may be rotatedindependently of the shaft 20 and hence independently of cents Wheel 16.However, when the push button is depressed the dogs 26 are shiftedradially outwardly and teeth portions 260 engage the teeth 12d of theknob 12. In this condition, rotation of the knob 12 rotates the centswheel 16 in unison therewith.

The spiral spring 36 is positioned between the base plate 10 and thedisc 22 and is held against excessive unwinding by the upstandingcircular wall 101' formed on the base plate 10 as shown in Figure 5. Atits inner end this spring bears against a radial shoulder 10j formed onthe bushing 10g as shown in Figure 5. At its outer end the spring 36 hasa hook-shaped portion 36a which bears against the downwardly turnedportion 12 of the inwardly extending ear 122, Figure 3, formed on theknob 12 in axial alignment with the spring.

Immediately below the inwardly extending ear 12e, the knob 12 has asecond ear 12g which extends inwardly as shown in Figure 3 and Figure tothe point where it engages the shiftable stop 38. This stop rides in thesegmented arcuate track 40 defined by the retaining Wall i of base 10and by the wall 10k, as shown in Figure 5. The wall 10k is in two-partform so that the stop 38 can shift from a right hand position as shownin the solid lines of Figure 5 to a position shown in the dotted linesof Figure 5. When the stop 38 is in the position of the solid lines ofFigure 5 the knob 12 is oriented with its zero pointer aligned witharrow 10c and cannot be rotated further in the clockwise direction. Whenthe stop 38 is in the dotted line position of Figure 5 the knob 12likewise has its zero pointer aligned with 102 but in this event cannotbe turned further in the counterclockwise direction. The knob 12 is thusheld against rotation over more than one full revolution and is broughtto a stop at the zero position in each direction.

It will be observed that the pressure of spring 28 acting through dogs26 on the conical cam face 34c of the push button 34 urges the pushbutton in the up direction. However, the push button remains in the downposition if shifted until the cylindrical portion 34b seats against thedogs 26.

The dollars wheel 41 is mounted on the underside of the base plate 10between the cents wheel 16 and the base plate. It cooperates with window10b to indicate 4 the dollars added. The dollars wheel 41 has a seriesof notches 41a which cooperate with the upstanding pin 16a of the centswheel 16 to rotate the dollars wheel by the amount of one dollar eachtime the cents wheel executes a full revolution.

The cents wheel 16 has a series of teeth on its outer periphery asindicated at 16b. These teeth cooperate with the spring detents 42 togive a snap action which assures that the cents wheel comes to rest onintegral cents values. The detents 42 are held in place by the rivets42a.

The downwardly protruding end of the hollow shaft 20a has a collapsiblehandle 44 which in the use of the device for counting purposes is leftin the folded position of Figure 4. When it is desired to restore theunit to the zero cents position, the handle 44 may be unfolded andturned to the requisite zero position. The handle 44 is shown in theunfolded position in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6 the handle 44 has anarcuate portion 44a of size to extend about the shaft portion 20a and apair of inturned ears 44b which are received in diametrically opposedrecesses in the shaft 20a to permit the handle to be folded or unfoldedas desired.

In use, the unit is first restored to the zero position by snapping thepush button 34 to the up position and turning the shaft 20 by knob 44until the indications in the dollars window 10b and the cents window 10aare zero. The knob 12 is returned to the zero position automatically bythe spring 36. The push button 34 is then depressed, bringing the dogs26 into engagement with the teeth 12a and causing these dogs to seat onthe cylindrical portion 34b of push button 34. The push button remainsin this position without further depressing. The knob 12 is then rotatedby the amount of the first purchase, an amount indicated by the arrow102, Figure 1. This rotation is given stepped snap action by the springdetent 42 and causes the cents wheel 16 to rotate in unison with theknob. When the desired number of cents are indicated the push button 34is snapped to the up position of Figure 4 by pressure from beneath. Thisrestores the knob 12 to the zero position and the push button 34a maythen be depressed as before to connect the knob 12 to the cents wheel 16and thus condition the unit for the next purchase. As each successivepurchase is added in this fashion, he cents wheel 16 and the dollarswheel 41 cooperate with the windows 10a and 10b to indicate the totalsof the purchases.

To facilitate assembly of the unit, the annular plate 22 has a marginalwindow 22b, Figure 3, which is of size to receive the ears 12a and 12gof the knob 12. The unit can thus be assembled by slipping the knob 12on the shaft 20 and down to its operative position when the window 22bis registered with the ears 12c and 12g. The spring 36 can be held backby a suitable tool extending under the fiange 12a of the knob 12 andthen released when the knob approaches its down position. The springwill then snap to the position of Figure 3.

The knob 12 may, if desired, be held in position by omitting window 22b,Figure 3, so that the car 12:: engages disc 22 to prevent lifting theknob 12. The nut 24, Figure 4, may then be omitted.

If desired, the portions 340. and 34e of the push button 34 may be inthe form of a single cylindrical shape of diameter equal to portion 34aand the sleeve 20 modified to fit the push button.

In the alternate form of the unit shown in Figure 7, the ear 12g isformed on the plate 112 riveted to the skirt portion of the knob 12.This plate at its end portion extends radially inwardly as arm 112awhich is hooked at 11% to hold end 36a of spring 36 as shown.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the presentinvention it will be understood that various modifications andalternative embodiments may be made without departing from the truespirit and scope thereof. I, therefore, intend by the appended claims tocover all such modifications and alternative constructions as fallwithin the true spirit and scope.

What I claim is:

1. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with thewindow; a knob on the other side of the plate coaxial with the centswheel, the knob having indicia cooperative with the base plate toindicate cents, the cents wheel and the knob having hollow shaftportions; and an axially movable push button disposed within the hollowshaft portions of the knob and the cents wheel and operable in one axialposition to interengage the same for rotations in unison and in anotheraxial position to disengage the same for independent rotations.

2. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with saidwindow; a dome shaped knob on the other side of the plate coaxial withthe cents wheel and defining a cavity in cooperation with the plate, theknob having indicia cooperative with the base plate to indicate cents,the cents wheel and the knob having hollow shaft portions; an axiallymovable push button disposed within the hollow shaft portions of theknob and cents wheel; and mechanism within the confines of the cavityoperable to engage the knob to the cents wheel for rotations in unisontherewith when the push button is in one axial position and to disengagethe knob and the cents wheel for independent rotation when the pushbutton is in another axial position.

3. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with saidwindow; a dome shaped knob on the other side of the plate coaxial withthe cents wheel and defining a cavity in cooperation with the plate, theknob having indicia cooperative with the base plate to indicate cents,the cents wheel and the knob having hollow shaft portions; an axiallymovable push button having cam faces and disposed within the hollowshaft portions of the knob and cents wheel; and cam follower mechanismwithin the confines of the cavity operable to engage the knob to thecents wheel for rotations in unison therewith when the push button is inone axial position and to disengage the knob and the cents wheel forindependent rotation when the push button is in another axial position.

4. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a counter wheel on one side of the plate and having indiciaregistrable with the window, the counter wheel having a hollow centralshaft portion; a knob coaxial with the counter wheel and defining aninside cylindrical face, the knob having a hollow central shaft portion;an axially movable push button disposed within the shaft portions of theknob and the counter wheel and having a conical face and a cylindricalface contiguous with the large end thereof; a radially shiftable dogmounted for rotations with the counter wheel and positioned to seatagainst the conical face or the cylindrical face of the push button inaccord with the axial position thereof, the dog further being operableto seat against and engage the inside cylindrical face of the knob whenseated against the cylindrical face of the push button thereby to engagethe knob and the counter wheel for movement in unison; and means urgingthe dog radially inwardly to draw the same away from the insidecylindrical face of the knob to disengage the knob and the counter wheelwhen the push button is axially shifted to have the conical face thereofengage the dog.

5. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with thewindow; a knob on the other side of the plate coaxial with the centswheel, the knob having indicia cooperative with the base plate toindicate cents, the knob being domed to define a housing in conjunctionwith the plate; a hollow shaft integral with the cents wheel extendingthrough the base plate and into the confines of the knob, the shafthaving hand turning means; an axially movable push button disposedwithin the hollow shaft; and clutch elements operable to engage thehollow shaft and the knob for rotation in unison when the push button isin one axial position and to disengage the hollow shaft and knob forindependent rotations when the push button is in another axial position.

6. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with thewindow; a knob on the other side of the plate coaxial with the centsWheel, the knob having indicia cooperative with the base plate toindicate cents, the knob being domed to define a housin conjunction withthe plate; a hollow shaft integral with the cents wheel extendingthrough the base plate and into the confines of the knob, the shafthaving hand turing means; an axially movable push button disposed withinthe hollow shaft; and clutch elements operable to engage the hollowshaft and the knob for rotation in unison when the push button is in oneaxial position and to disengage the hollow shaft and knob forindependent rotations when the push button is in another axial position;and stop elements on the base plate operable to arrest rotation of theknob at the zero cents position to confine rotation thereof to one fullturn.

7. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with thewindow; a knob on the other side of the plate coaxial with the centswheel, the knob having indicia cooperative with the base plate toindicate cents, the knob being domed to define a housing in conjunctionwith the plate, and having internal cents teeth; a hollow shaft integralwith the cents wheel extending through the base plate and into theconfines of the knob, the shaft having hand turning means; an axiallymovable push button disposed within the hollow shaft; and clutchelements mounted for rotation with the shaft and having teeth on theirouter extremes engageable with the internal teeth of the knob, theclutch elements being operable to engage the hollow shaft and the knobfor rotation in unison when the push button is in one axial position andto disengage the hollow shaft and knob for independent rotation when thepush button is in another axial position.

8. A hand adding machine comprising in combination: a base plate havinga window; a cents wheel on one side of the plate in registry with thewindow; a knob on the other side of the plate coaxial with the centswheel, the knob having indicia cooperative with the base plate toindicate cents, the knob being domed to define a housing in conjunctionwith the plate, and having internal cents teeth; a hollow shaft integralwith the cents wheel extending through the base plate and into theconfines of the knob, the shaft having hand turning means; an axiallymovable push button disposed within the hollow shaft; clutch elementsmounted for rotation With the shaft and having teeth on their outerextremes engageable with the internal teeth of the knob, the clutchelements being operable to engage the hollow shaft and the knob forrotation in unison when the push button is in one axial position and todisengage the hollow shaft and knob for independent rotation when thepush button is in another axial position; and detent means operablyassociated with the cents wheel to hold the same to integral centspositions.

Marshall Mar. 21, 1911 Perillo Mar. 20, 1951

